Intel International Science & Engineering Fair Competing on the World Stage Three Commack High School students - Sean, Pragati, and Ethan - represented Commack and competed in the prestigious INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in Phoenix, Arizona. There were a total of 1,447 projects from 80 countries and 1,800 high schools on the judging floor. Two of our three students came home placing in their respective categories. The trio went through a rigorous week of practicing for the competition’s judges, studying and taking IB finals, (which happened to fall the same week). They also got to enjoy some of the Phoenix sights and took in a Diamonds baseball game. At the awards ceremony on Friday, May 17, Pragati was awarded fourth place overall in Plant Sciences and Ethan won third place in the Geological Society and American Geosciences Institute Special Award in Earth Science. The students worked very hard and succeeded in winning at local and state-wide compe-
titions to earn a spot at ISEF. • Pragati’s project: Identifying Differential Expression and Conserved Alternative Splicing (AS) Events in Zea mays • Sean’s project: Receiver Noise Performance Optimization and Artificial Neural Network Based Target Localization Method for Multi-Static Passive Radar Systems • Ethan’s project: U-Pb Geochronology of Fossilized Horse Teeth from the Barstow Formation, California The students were accompanied by their science research teachers/mentors Dr. Lorraine Solomon and Jeanette Collette. Ms. Collette said of the trip/students, “It was an incredible experience for our students, they were able to meet like-minded high school students from all over the world. The bonds they formed and the memories they made will last a life-time. I am just glad I was able to be a part of it.”
Na onal Merit Scholarship Winner
Sean, Pragati, and Ethan are congratulated by their science research teachers and mentors Dr. Lorraine Solomon, Jeanette Collette, Jeanne Suttie, Andrea Beatty, Dr. Stephanie O’Brien, and Dr. Daniel Kramer, Principal Leslie Boritz, and Director of Science Dr. Alison Offerman-Celentano.
For a daily blog of our students at IESF, please visit: www.commackschools.org/ISEF2019.aspx
Commack High School senior, Deniz Sinar, was named a 2019 National Merit Scholarship winner. The competition is based on very high academic achievement and other requirements. Only 2,500 winners are chosen for the $2,500 scholarship from a field of 1.6 million students who applied. Deniz loves science, and will study biological engineering at Cornell University in the fall. She is a member of Commack High School’s top cohort academic group and is pursuing an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Deniz has selected our school’s most challenging classes such as Higher Level Math and Chemistry. From the Cold Spring Harbor
labs, Hofstra University Summer Science Program to Columbia University Science Honors Program, Deniz is busy pursuing her greatest passion, microbiology. Her ultimate goal is to improve the condition of our environment, so that all living things may thrive. We were honored to have NYS Senator Jim Gaughran, Chair of Education Committee, visit the High School on the day we took Deniz’s photo. He will be issuing a proclamation as well. In photo, from left to right: Guidance Director Nicole Kregler, Principal Leslie Boritz, Senator Gaughran, Deniz, Board of Education President Steven Hartman, and Superintendent of Commack Schools, Dr. Donald James.